Shirley to retire as CC President

Clarendon College President Phil Shirley announced yesterday that he will step down at the end of 2013, wrapping up a 40-year career in higher education.

Shirley made public his retirement plan at the close of Thursday’s meeting of the CC Board of Regents, and another longtime college employee, Darlene Spier, also submitted her retirement to the board.

“I can’t praise the board enough, especially Chairman John Howard, who accepted everything I recommended,” the president said. “I’m indebted to their support, and my memories of Clarendon College will be nothing but sweet and endearing.”

The president also praised the staff, faculty, and administration for their support of him and of the ideas he said they had collectively embraced.

“There is no one on this campus that I do not hold in the highest regard,” he said.

Shirley has served as CC’s president since January 2011. His career began with six years in teaching before he went into college administration 34 years ago. He served as CC’s Dean of Instruction from 1986 to 1990 and later served as the president of Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, Ark., for 11 years before returning to Clarendon.

His retirement comes at a time when Clarendon College is embarking on new ventures and developing new programs that will expand the college’s offerings in the area – particularly Amarillo – and ultimately boost the economy of Donley County through growth at the home campus.

“It is difficult to leave at a time when Clarendon is experiencing rare opportunities and achievements,” Shirley said. “We’re planting the seeds for someone else to reap, and I’m content with that.”

Shirley will rejoin his family in Arkansas when he steps down, but he will continue to have fond feelings for Clarendon and said he was honored to end his career at CC.

“I love the people of Clarendon,” he said. “They are of such high character that it is hard to compare with any other group. I love the college and it is a great honor to retire here.”

Shirley says he will spend his retirement serving as an interim president when needed around the country and has been offered a job with “Building the Dream,” a grant-funded project which helps colleges re-tool their curriculums to focus on student success.

“I will not sit down in a rocking chair and piddle away the days, but rather I will put my 40-years’ experience to use to benefit other colleges.”

Shirley’s retirement becomes effective December 31, 2013; but before he steps down, another key college employee will leave CC.

Darlene Spier, who has served as the Assistant to the President for the last six presidents of CC, announced to the board that she will retire effective August 31, 2013.

“It has been a blessing and an honor for me to serve Clarendon College for 33 years,” she said.

Shirley said Spier made it possible for him to do his job.

“Darlene has been my right-hand person, a confidant, an inspiration, a historian, and the most knowledgeable person about Clarendon College who exists,” he said. “She has been an outstanding employee.”